Celtic, Swallows share spoils

Johannesburg - Moroka Swallows missed out on a chance to secure third place after drawing 1-1 away to Bloemfontein Celtic in their Premiership match in Botshabelo on Sunday.

Outside of SuperSport United, all three other league hopefuls in Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs dropped points this weekend.

Swallows remain in fourth place with 44 points with four matches left to play.

Celtic opened proceedings on the stroke of half-time through an easily slotted penalty by Lennox Bacela, after defender Luvhengo Mungomeni handled in the box.

Swallows, though, levelled matters from the spot kick through Siyabonga Nomvethe in the 67th minute after Kgotso Moleko fouled David Mathebula inside the area.

It was the veteran forward's 14th goal of the season as he continued to lead the goal-scoring charts.

The mercurial hosts remain outside the top half of the table, and are in ninth-place with 35 points.

Swallows were a notch below their best but held superior ball possession in the first half and were found lacking in the final third of the pitch.

A Nomvethe probing run heading goalward fell apart after he lost the ball inside box after 35 minutes.

Mathebula then forced a save from Celtic goalkeeper Thabang Stemmer before his side went a goal down shortly before the interval.

The visitors attempted to increase momentum going forward, bringing on the more offensive Bongani Thwala for central midfielder Macbeth Sibaya.

They fashioned a chance through striker Cheick Cisse, who had come on for the ineffective Bennet Chenene, as he shot wide from outside the box.

Phunya Sele Sele could have wrapped up matters on the hour mark as Thokozani Mshengu narrowly missed the target on the edge of the box.

Then Danie Venter skipped the offside trap but shot poorly straight at Greg Etafia with just the 'keeper to beat.

Opportunities fell for substitute Phenyo Mongala and Buhle Mkhwanazi towards the end as Celtic proved to be blunt in front of goal.

The Birds, however, could have stolen it in the dying moments as David Mathebula rattled the crossbar with a freekick.